“We can all play a role by keeping our eyes and ears open”

South Yorkshire deputy mayor Kilvinder Vigurs is backing National Rural Crime Week in the fight against crime targeting communities in rural areas.

National Rural Crime Action Week highlights the impact of countryside crime like fly-tipping, illegal butchery, livestock theft and hare coursing. | SYMCA

placeholder image — National Rural Crime Action Week highlights the impact of countryside crime like fly-tipping, illegal butchery, livestock theft and hare coursing. | SYMCA

According to the National Farmers' Union, rural crime costs the UK more than £40m every year through fly-tipping, machinery theft, livestock theft, illegal butchery and hare coursing.

The action week (September 6-11) brings together police forces, farmers, landowners and rural organisations to raise awareness and ensure rural priorities are part of future policing reforms.

Ms Vigurs said: "I have seen the devastation caused by fly-tipping, and how harvests and fencing have been ruined by off-road and quad bikes.

“We can all play a role by keeping our eyes and ears open, identifying suspicious behaviour, and reporting anything that seems unusual.”